Conservative Care First: A Sensible, Effective Approach to Back and
Neck Pain

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--During National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) this fall, the American
Chiropractic Association is working with the more than 130,000 doctors
of chiropractic (DCs), chiropractic assistants (CAs) and chiropractic
doctoral students nationwide to help educate the public and policymakers
about the value of a “conservative care first” approach to health care.
This health care model encourages emphasis on more cost-effective and
safer approaches over potentially addictive medications for pain
management and health enhancement. Conservative management of painful
conditions may include chiropractic manipulation combined with exercise
and stretching prior to moving on to procedures involving higher risk.

During NCHM in October, chiropractic physicians will be provided
resources to help them share their conservative care first approach and
why it is especially significant to today’s health care consumers. This
in turn will help patients have well informed conversations with their
health care providers, empowering them to become their own advocates by
insisting on information about conservative treatment options.

Why is “Conservative Care First” more important today than ever in
facing our nation’s healthcare challenges?

Numerous recent studies have clearly shown the dangerous overreliance
in the U.S. on prescription painkillers that simply mask pain, but do
not cure. This has tremendously increased Americans’ risk for overuse,
and abuse, of these drugs if taken for long periods, leading to more
than 17,000 related deaths in 2010 (more than heroin and cocaine
combined). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls the
abuse of prescription pain medications an “epidemic.”

Recent evidence questions the overuse--and in some cases the
effectiveness--of more invasive treatments such as spinal fusion
surgery and spinal steroid injections for back pain. It is reasonable
for patients to exhaust more conservative options before undergoing
these costly procedures.

Chiropractic physicians are the highest-rated healthcare practitioners
for low-back pain treatments with their patient-centered, whole-person
approach that provides greater interaction and communication for
appropriate diagnosis and developing more cost-effective treatment
planning.

“People need complete information about their treatment options,” said
ACA President Anthony Hamm, DC. “During National Chiropractic Health
Month, DCs are encouraging patients to ask questions and learn about
safe, effective conservative approaches that may help them avoid riskier
and more costly treatments.”

Hosted by ACA, National
Chiropractic Health Month is a nationwide observance held each
October. The event helps raise public awareness of the benefits of
chiropractic care and its natural, whole-person, patient-centered
approach to health and wellness.

The American
Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, Va., is
the largest professional association in the United States advocating for
more than 130,000 doctors of chiropractic (DCs), chiropractic assistants
(CAs) and chiropractic doctoral students. ACA promotes the highest
standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and
well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit us at www.acatoday.org.